| The Hop Pocket first opened in 1988, a small part of the then still working hop kilns was converted into a space to display an array of mainly local crafts. | | It seems odd to say now, but even then farming as a business and way of life was under stress, diversification was the word of the moment (as it still is). | | The idea of opening a craft shop had occurred to Janet when she had volunteered to sell large pottery jugs behalf of the WFFU (Women's Food and Farming Union). | | The jugs depicted hops and barley and formed part of a promotion for the local economy by the WFFU. | | People were coming to Janet's house to buy these jugs that were well made, but not cheap. This, along with the knowledge that an area of the hop kilns was largely unused gave her the idea of selling other crafts. | | Within twelve months it had been neccessary to expand the stock and the space available. Shortly afterwards a tearoom was created out of a part of the farmhouse. | | The last 20 years seem to have been a whirlwind, the shop was extended twice in its original position and now rests behind the farmhouse in (yet) another redundant agricultural building. | | We were able to offer a restaurant and units for craftspeople, the craft shop became the craft centre. | | The Hop Pocket is a hit, not only among tourists to our area, but it has also become a bastion in the local community, helping in any way that we can with the church, the parish and the new sports facilities that are an on going project for the whole village. | | |
| | | The family behind The Hop Pocket have been living and farming here since 1759. | Janet |  | | The shop is very much Janet's baby, it all came from her vision. She is also responsible for the most of the buying and arranging the displays. | | Janet is the reason that the things we have to offer are so varied, different and of such a high quality. | | Give her a nice birthday card and seconds later she will be looking at the back to see if we can get them into the shop. | John |  | | If Janet makes sure everything looks good then John is the one that makes it all work. A stalwart of the "engine room" paddling away under a (mostly) graceful surface. | | John is a business visionary, constantly looking for ways to adapt or advance both the Hop Pocket and the family farm. | | Do try to make it to the Hop Pocket at Christmas time, its John's job to light us up like a Christmas tree. | Matthew |  | | Matthew spent five years in London teaching IT. He sold up came home in 2004. Matthew's role is partly to bridge between John and Janets' roles. | | Matthew is also responsible for the website, developing the online shop and trying to drag the stock system entirely onto computer. | | I spend most of my time in the stockroom booking in the nice things Mum has bought, so Dad can pay the nice people who make them. |
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